The Murray Riverport City of Echuca marked the end of northern stage, then the vehicles headed south east to Wangaratta, and then through the the Alpine National Park to Mount Hotham, Dinner Plain, Sale, and back to Sandown Racecourse. The event is organised by the All British Classics Car Club, with the support of the Australian Assocition of Motoring Clubs and the Federation of Veteran Vintage and Clasic Vehicles Clubs. The number of applicants is restricted to 200. Restrictions are necessary because some of the towns on the tour could not cope with a bigger influx. And a convoy of 200 vehicles aged from 25 to 83 years tend to create traffic problem on some of the roads. Motormarques caught up with the tour on Sunday afternoon, March 25, as the the cars came into Echuca. The 203 km run up from Melbourne had been reasonably easy, with no steep hills, and no more than a normal amount of heavy lorries and other traffic. All partcipants reached Echuca in one piece, and spirits were high. Nobody had been left behind, nobody was experiencing irreparable problems. The crews were relaxed, and spent the rest of Sunday afternoon polishing their cars ready for a grand public display the next day.   Echuca is a very likeable city, steeped in charm and history. The Grand Parade of cars lined up alongside the 400 metre redgum wharf, where old railways goods yards and sheds once stood. Out on the river, paddle steamers such as the Pevensey of ‘All the Rivers Run’ fame; the oldest wooden paddlesteamer in the world – the PS. Adelaide; the Emmylou, and the Alexander Arbuthnot hooted, and filled the autumn air with wood smoke and steam. Brian Kelly, Motoring Associations Manager of the RACV, met us and gave us a list of the 200 entries.RACV is the only motoring association in Australia to run this kind of event and they do it because of their heritage background. "We held our first rally in 1903," Brian said. "And what we're doing now is a duplication of those old days - encouraging people to bring out their historic vehicles and to promote historic motoring. This is an important occasion, particularly in country regions." “'When the rally finishes, judges selects winners in various categories that include Vintage, Modern, Post Modern, and Classics. Participants also are invited to submit their preferences.” Brian spoke to me again on the last day of the tour. “All cars finished as scheduled on Friday 30 March. And at the conclusion of the Tour, the judges chose the Chevrolet as Best Early Classic, which was also the People's Choice. Best Overall Classic was a 1965 Buick Riviera. Best Modern Classic was a 1973 Jaguar E Type. And a 1955 Austin Healey was judged best Open Sports.     Text, photos and video by Bill Hunter